Ah, the magic of Christmas baking! There’s something so heartwarming about filling your kitchen with the sweet aroma of cookies, and my favorite has to be *christmas meltaway cookies*. These little gems are incredibly buttery, with a soft texture that practically melts in your mouth—hence the name! Imagine taking a bite and feeling that rich, creamy goodness just dissolve, leaving you craving more. They’re perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holiday season, or just enjoying with a cup of cocoa while you watch the snow fall outside. Trust me, once you make these festive treats, you’ll want to whip up a batch every year! So, let’s get started on creating these delightful cookies that are sure to bring joy to your holiday celebrations!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting
How to Prepare *Christmas Meltaway Cookies*
Making *christmas meltaway cookies* is a delightful and simple process that’s perfect for even the most novice bakers. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy! Let’s dive into the steps so you can get these buttery bites into the oven in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial for getting that perfect bake!
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until it’s smooth and fluffy. I like to use a hand mixer for this, but a wooden spoon works too—just be prepared to put in a bit of elbow grease!
- Once it’s nice and creamy, add in that lovely vanilla extract and mix well. The aroma is heavenly!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. This helps to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Don’t overdo it—just until combined!
- Now, here comes the fun part! Shape the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between each cookie as they will spread a little.
- Bake them in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them; you want the edges to be lightly golden but the centers to remain soft. Oops! If they overbake, they lose that meltaway magic!
- Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. After they’ve cooled slightly, dust them with powdered sugar for that festive touch!
And there you have it! Easy, buttery *christmas meltaway cookies* that are sure to impress your family and friends. Happy baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation—whip up a batch in just 20 minutes!
- Delicious flavor with a buttery richness that melts in your mouth.
- Super easy to make, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Festive appearance, especially when dusted with powdered sugar or topped with sprinkles.
- A total crowd-pleaser—everyone will be asking for seconds (and thirds!).
- Perfect for holiday gifting or sharing at parties, spreading joy with every bite.
- They freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy the holiday spirit long after the celebrations end.
Tips for Success
Alright, let’s make sure your *christmas meltaway cookies* turn out absolutely perfect! Here are some of my top tips to help you avoid any common pitfalls and elevate your cookie game.
- Room Temperature Butter: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature before starting. This makes it easier to cream with the sugar, resulting in that light, airy texture we’re aiming for.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining your dry and wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tougher cookies instead of the delicate melt-in-your-mouth experience we want.
- Watch the Bake Time: Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. You want them to be lightly golden on the edges but still soft in the center. If they look too golden, they might lose that meltaway quality!
- Chill the Dough (optional): If you find the dough is too sticky to handle, pop it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. This can help make shaping the balls a lot easier!
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Don’t skip the dusting! It not only adds a beautiful, festive look but also a touch of sweetness that complements the buttery flavor perfectly.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to mix things up by adding a hint of almond extract or lemon zest to your dough for a unique twist. Just a little can go a long way in enhancing those holiday vibes!
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating the most delightful *christmas meltaway cookies* that will have everyone singing your praises. Happy baking!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Now that you’ve baked up a delicious batch of *christmas meltaway cookies*, let’s talk about how to keep them fresh and tasty! These little delights are best enjoyed within a week, but with a few simple storage tips, you can savor their buttery goodness for days to come.
To store your cookies, place them in an airtight container. I like to line the bottom with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. You can also add a piece of bread to the container; it helps to keep the cookies soft! Just be sure to replace the bread slice every few days to keep everything fresh.
If you find yourself with extra cookies (although I doubt that’ll happen!), they freeze beautifully! Just make sure to let them cool completely before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay good for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply pull out as many as you’d like and let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
As for reheating, I usually recommend enjoying them at room temperature, but if you want that fresh-from-the-oven feel, you can pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes. Just keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking! Oops, don’t let that meltaway magic disappear!
With these storage and reheating tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your *christmas meltaway cookies* whenever that sweet craving hits. Happy munching!
Nutritional Information
As you whip up these delightful *christmas meltaway cookies*, you might be curious about their nutritional content. Here’s a rough estimate of what each cookie brings to the table:
- Calories: Approximately 100 calories per cookie
- Fat: About 5g of fat
- Protein: Roughly 1g of protein
- Carbohydrates: Around 12g of carbohydrates
- Sugar: Approximately 6g of sugar
- Sodium: About 50mg of sodium
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredient brands and measurement accuracy. But hey, it’s the holidays! Enjoy these meltaway treasures in moderation, and let their buttery goodness bring joy to your festive season!
FAQ Section
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! One of the best things about *christmas meltaway cookies* is that they can be made ahead of time. You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to three days before baking. Just roll the dough into balls and store them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, simply pop them into the oven right from the fridge. If you’d like to bake them later, you can also freeze the shaped dough balls. Just freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll be good for about two months! When you’re ready to bake, no need to thaw; just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time!
What variations can I try?
Oh, there are so many fun ways to jazz up your *christmas meltaway cookies*! If you want to add a festive touch, consider rolling the dough balls in colorful sprinkles before baking. You can also experiment with different flavor extracts—try almond or peppermint for a delightful twist! For an even more decadent treat, fold in some mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes into the dough. You could also add a hint of citrus by mixing in some lemon or orange zest. The possibilities are endless, so have fun and make them your own!
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Checking for doneness with *christmas meltaway cookies* is pretty straightforward! You’ll want to look for lightly golden edges while the centers should still appear soft and slightly underbaked. The key is to keep an eye on them during the last few minutes of baking. If the edges are golden and the tops have a little sheen, they’re likely ready! Remember, they’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, so don’t worry if they seem a bit soft when you take them out. Oops! Overbaking will take away that meltaway quality we love, so trust your instincts and enjoy that buttery goodness!
Print
Christmas Meltaway Cookies: 7 Steps to Pure Bliss
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and buttery meltaway cookies perfect for Christmas.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well.
- Feel free to add sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: christmas meltaway cookies
